Improvement in combined spool-holder and game device



2 Sheets- -Sneet 1.

E. MeoBWAN Combined Spool-Holder and Game Device.

No. 206.740. Patented Aug. 6. I878.

PENN

llz llllillln- 2 Sheets Sheet 2.

B. MacEWAN. Combined Spool-Holder and Game Devi0e.

Patented Aug. 6.1878.

/ D O 2w If? 0 Q m e/n 2/.2/ on UNITED-STATES PATENT QFFICE.

EDWARD MAOEWAN, OF MAUCHLINE, NORTH BRITAIN.

IMPROVEMENT lN COMBINED SPOOL-HOLDER AND GAME DEVICE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,740, dated August6, 1878; application filed December 10, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD MAOEWAN, of Mauchline, in the county of Ayr,North Britain, manufacturer of clan-tartan and fancy wood-work,haveinvented a new or Improved Casket for Holding Spools, Reels, or Bobbinsof different qualities or colors of thread, the same being applicablefor providing a game or amusement of which the following is aspecification:

My invention relates to a new or improved casket which is primarilyadapted for holding spools or reels of different qualities or colors ofthread; and it consists of a circular or other suitably-shaped box,mounted upon a spindle carried by a stand or foot, upon which spindlethe box is capable of revolving or of being spun. The exterior of thebox is divided into a number of divisions or spaces, each of whichcontains an amusing question, statement, or answer to a question, and onthe foot is a pointer, which points to one or other of the spaces ordivisions containing the questions, statements, or answers. The boxhaving been spun upon the spindle, when it comes to rest the question,statement, or answer to a question is that indicated by the pointer, andis intended to apply to the person by whom the box has been spun.

Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan with the cover removed;and Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 1 2, Fig. 2, of a casketconstructed according to my invention.

It consists of a circular box, A, mounted on a spindle, B, screwed intothe stationary stand or base 0, and fastened securely thereto by thewasher d. The box is preferably fitted with a cover, E, and its interioris provided with movable pins F F, upon which reels of thread may becarried, and with a central projection, G, which serves to carry athimble, and also to afford a long bearing for the spindle B. To enablethe box A to freely rotate, its bottom is prevented from coming intocontact with the base 0 by the projection b, which may be formed eitheron the box or on the base, or on both.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement in which the box is rotated upon aspindle,B, screwed into a screw, J, passing through the foot, bytightening which screw J the bottom of the box may be brought hard downupon the sole, and thereby prevented from rotating.

The stand or base 0 is provided with a pointer, 0, and the exterior ofthe box A is divided into a number of spaces or divisions, a a, as seenin Fig. 1, in each of which is a question, statement, or answer to aquestion, of an amusing character-as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. Aquestion or questions may be printed or placed upon any suitable part ofthe box or its lid, or upon the foot or sole upon which the box spins.The divisions on the exterior of the box may contain various answers tothat question or questions of an amusing character, or the casket may beused in playing games of chance by providing the divisions on theexterior of the box with various signs and numbers-for example, as shownin Fig. 6- so that, on the box being spun and coming to rest, thepointer will indicate one of the divisions on the box, which willcontain an answer to the question put or (in the case of the casketbeing used for a game) a number which the player by whom the box wasspun will score.

The markingof the divisions and spaces, and the questions, statements,or answers on the exterior of the box may be efl'ected in any suitablemanner; but I prefer to print them upon strips of paper, as shown atFigs. 5 and 6, which strips are pasted or otherwise fastened onto theexterior of the box.

Fig. 5 represents astrip divided into spaces suitable for receivingquestions, statements, or answers to a question marked on any suitablepart of the casket. Fig. 6 is a strip suitable where the casket is to beused for playing a game of chance.

Directions and explanations maybe marked on the casket.

If desired, the lid of the box may be divided into radial or radial andconcentric divisions containing figures, signs, or continuations of thestatements on the side of the box.

Instead of making the box to revolve, as hereinbefore described, it maybe stationary, and the lid may be made capable of revolution.

Figs. 7 and 8 are transverse sections of a casket constructed in thismanner. The lid E is mounted so as to turn freely upon the spindle H,which has a screw, it, on its lower part, passing through a screwed holein the center of thebottom of the box. By turning this screwed spindlein one direction by its head h the box is closed by the lid beingbrought down tightly against the top of the box, as shown in Fig. 7, andby turning the spindle in the reverse direction the lid is raised fromthe box sufficiently to allow it to be freely rotated on the saidspindle, as shown in Fig. 8. In this arrangement the box may have thequestions, statements, or answers marked upon its side, and the lid maycarry the pointer; or the lid may be divided into radial or concentricand radial divisions containing questions, statements, or answers, orfigures or signs, the pointer being upon the side of the box; or boththe lid and the body of the box may be divided into spaces, eachcontaining a question, statement, or answer; and, on the lid coming torest after being spun, the statements on the lid coming intoline withthose on the body of the box, they can be read together, and willprovide a variety of amusing combinations.

I claim- The casket for holding spools, bobbins, or other articles, andfor providing a game device or apparatus for amusement, consisting ofthe box A, capable of being rotated on a screwspindle, B, screwed to thebottom of the casket, which also rotates on the projection b at the base0, the interior of said casket being provided with removable pins F andcentral projection G, while on its outer portions are designatednumbers, figures, or words, adapted to the game to be played, all saidparts being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD MACEWAN. [L. 8.]

Witnesses:

R. A. GUNN,

115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. DAVID MASON,

115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

